Quick Cryptic 2034 by Noel

Author   CuraristPosted on Categories Quick Cryptic
Predictably Christmas-themed and very gentle. 16dn – nice of Noel to include the city I would be visiting next week if it weren’t for all the hysterical politicians. 4 minutes for me.

Across

1 Crazy solvers! (8)
CRACKERS – double definition
6 Large plant in theatre entrance (4)
TREE – hidden word: theaTRE Entrance
8 Something in night sky seen in deserts to the west (4)
STAR – RATS backwards, i.e pointing towards the west
9 Holding a piece of hose (8)
STOCKING – double definition
10 Here’s some gifts (8)
PRESENTS – double definition
12 One ordered about ten cattle (4)
OXEN – anagram (‘ordered’) of ONE outside X (ten)
13 Sings about luxury car with middle missing! (6)
CAROLS – CA (about) + ROLLS minus its middle letter
15 Produce more eggs, perhaps, than expenditure (6)
OUTLAY – double definition. One chicken might outlay another
17 Glossy publication, maybe one for the wise (4)
MAGI – MAG + I
19 Comfortable place to prepare tea I pour finally (8)
ARMCHAIR – ARM (prepare) + CHA (tea) + I + R
21 Fine wines prepared eg in vats (8)
VINTAGES – anagram (‘prepared’) of  EG IN VATS
23 Long to have gym outside home (4)
PINE – PE outside IN
24 Egg on lady, every so often getting first prize? (4)
GOLD – alternate letters of eGg On LaDy
25 Bothering to keep railway for transporting (8)
CARRYING – CARING with RY inside
Down
2 Revolver originally used north of a NZ city (7)
ROTORUA – ROTOR + U + A
3 Diamonds, maybe, found by detective sergeant beneath vehicle (5)
CARDS – DS with CAR on top
4 Printing measures used in English manuscript (3)
EMS – E + MS. An em is a distance equal to the typographical point size in use, beloved of crossword setters, See also ‘en’
5 Wintry weather in NSW: motors malfunctioning (9)
SNOWSTORM – anagram (‘malfunctioning’) of NSW MOTORS
6 Do away with escort (4,3)
TAKE OUT – double definition
7 Wise, perhaps, to have, on reflection, some in reserve (5)
ERNIE – reversed hidden word: somE IN REserve
11 Frantically casing lot, yearning for the past (9)
NOSTALGIC – anagram (‘frantically’) of CASING LOT
14 Hand in dictionary that’s left out (7)
OMITTED – MITT inside OED
16 Dissolute characters from Govan in French city (7)
AVIGNON – anagram (‘dissolute characters from’) of GOVAN IN
18 In the morning I turn to find friend (5)
AMIGO – AM + I GO
20 Dwarf hiding pennies in grass (5)
HAPPY – HAY with two Ps in. One of Snow White’s
22 Teacher starts off shouting in room (3)
SIR – initial letters of Shouting In Room

63 comments on “Quick Cryptic 2034 by Noel”

  1. A lovely festive 10 minutes with Noel in between all those little jobs, like making the cranberry and bread sauces. I did exactly the same thing as Wombat at 11d which really slowed down cracking 25a, but suddenly realised my mistake. My Christmas PRESENT to myself arrived yesterday — not an ARMCHAIR but a really lovely rocker. I’ve PINEd for it for years, and suddenly thought ‘Why not’! MrB lived in NZ in the 70s so I knew of ROTORUA — perhaps we’ll get there one day.
    FOI Prsents
    LOI Carrying
    COD Stocking
    Many thanks Noel and Curarist, and Merry Christmas one and all🎄🎁🎅

  2. Nice gentle offering today, with my only hold up being Rotorua.

    I enjoyed the festive offering from Noel. Thanks to Curarist and all the other bloggers for tirelessly producing these blogs every day – you’ve really improved my cryptic knowledge over the year.

    Merry Christmas to all in the Times Xwd community!

  3. Thank goodness for a sub-10 solve at last (9 mins) after all the shenanigans over recent days. I enjoyed this and was obviously on message for a change. Perhaps the drive through the mist from Leicestershire to Berkshire for a family Christmas helped sharpen my feeble brain a little (or maybe it was down to a glass of IPA with lunch). Thanks to Noel and curarist.
    Enjoy Christmas, one and all, and I hope 2022 is healthy and happy. John M.

    Edited at 2021-12-24 04:58 pm (UTC)

    1. Leicestershire to Berkshire — a route I know very well! Hope you have a wonderful time in my home county 😊
        1. Oops. Made the mistake of using my phone but I was logged out. That was me, of course.
          Have a good Christmas, too. John
  4. Nothing much to add, but spot on 20 minutes today. Didn’t find it quite as easy as some on here and was slow to see many of the longer words. NHO EMS, but apart from that I was okay. Was glad that VINTAGES turned out to be that instead of some unknown (to me) French wine that is obvious to everyone else. Anyway, COD to STOCKING and thanks to Noel and Curarist. Merry Christmas everyone.
  6. I began doing the QC last year after some nasty mental health problems. My solving times are still embarrassingly slow (some days you could time me with a sun dial), but I love the challenge.

    Thank you to all the setters and the bloggers. The blog is an invaluable aid to understanding.

    A very merry Christmas to you all.

    Gary A

    2. Just keep enjoying the challenge — and hope you’ll carry on joining us in the new year 😊
  7. NHO Rotorua — so I just capitulated! Feeble but still.
    Otherwise good festive cheer.
    Thanks all and happy Christmas
    John
  8. Still only able to sign in as Anon…very frustrating. To coin a phrase: ‘Is it only me?’

    also no ‘Like’ option – maybe because it’s in Anon mode…? Anyway:

    Seasonal Greetings to all.

    Although entered correctly, I rather PINEd for Pint at 23a.

    Cheers all.

    Andrew_Turner

    1. No, it’s not only you! There’s something strange in the neighbourhood — but who are we going to call?
  10. though I seem to remember it as Nowell in the Hymn Book. No suggestion, of course, on inspiration from angels or any other being in success with today’s crossword. Good steady stuff here, all done and a good 25 min time equals a satisfying GN5. Happy wishes to Noel, Curarist, and all Players.
  11. I struggled a bit. Blaming the phone and the unfamiliar setter.

    ERNIE LOI and groansome.

    8:26.

  12. A fun end to the week
    As my step father used to say Christmas is a day with Noel
    Be festive folks despite all that is going on.
  13. Would have liked to Like various posts, but not possible, as has been said.
    Meanwhile I have just scored two 7-letter words playing Scrabble. Must be all the practice here.
    Happy Christmas again!
  14. Merry Christmas all! I hope to resume regular habits next year.

    FOI CARDS, LOI ROTORUA, COD ARMCHAIR, time a sluggish 11:34 but then I was juggling it with pouring drinks and other pleasant festive tasks.

    Thanks Noel and curarist

    Templar

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